Shan State Army (SSA) South’s recent direct overtures to the Burma
Army’s field units to inform their movements in advance so to avoid
further clashes were “countermanded” by Naypyitaw, according to a source
close to the military.

“The directive that was conveyed by the regional command to the field
units was that they should ignore the SSA’s advances and just follow
orders from their superiors,” the source who asked anonymity said. “Some
officers are in fact blaming the Shan Herald for putting out the news
(of SSA overtures on 14 August). They say if you had remained quiet, the
fight in Mongpan (on 22 August) would not have happened.”

The SSA offer that it would not fight if it was notified in advance
of the Burmese units, according to SSA leader Sao Yawdserk, was
reportedly responded favorably by may units.

However, 8-days after SHAN report was published, a combined force
from the Burma Army’s Military Operation Command (MOC) #17 attacked a
Shan unit in Mongpan. The attack took place between Hwe Zoy and Na Mawn
villages in Nawng Lerh tract.

According to a member of the Burma Army-run local militia force, it
had warned the Burmese column not to advance before notifying the SSA.
“But they said we are a national army,” he recounted. “We can go
anywhere we like in this country.”

The two hour fight, 10:00-12:00, resulted in at least 4 dead on the
Burma Army side and 1 dead at least 2 wounded on the SSA side, according
to him.

The two sides, since 2 December 2011, when the ceasefire agreement was signed have fought more than a 100 clashes.

“Liaison offices have been set up at the Burma Army’s regional
headquarters for the purpose of avoiding such confrontations,” said
Yawdserk. “I have no idea why the Burma Army never put them to good
use.”